IN NUMBERS | The impact of 15 years of Liverpool ONE 

Arguably one of the most ambitious regeneration projects ever delivered in the North West, the 42-acre city centre retail destination has welcomed 390m visitors since it opened in 2008 and generated more than £4bn GVA. 

To mark Liverpool ONE’s upcoming 15th anniversary, Grosvenor has commissioned a study by consultancy Deloitte that demonstrates the success of the 1.2m sq ft complex – home to 170 stores, bars restaurants, and leisure experiences – and the impact it has had on the city. 

15 years of Liverpool ONE in numbers 

• Generated £4.1bn in total GVA 
• Contributed £1.9bn to the UK Exchequer and £300m in business rates 
• Hosted 390m visits 
• Supported an average of 4,700 jobs annually for Liverpool residents 
• Played a key role in a 24% growth in the economic value of the region’s visitor economy 
• Supported 500,000 local young people by funding community projects 
• Hosted 1,500 community events and around 12,000 charity collections 
• Moved Liverpool up the table of the country’s most popular retail destinations from 17th to fifth 

“This report shows the positives that can come from bold and creative regeneration,” said Rachel Dickie, executive director of investment at Grosvenor. 

“A willingness to invest for the long-term and build effective partnerships are vital to the success of the UK’s towns and cities. 

“And, despite the increasing constraints on the public and private sectors, we need to learn the lessons from success stories like Liverpool ONE to drive future growth and meet the challenges faced by communities across the UK.” 

Over the last 15 years, Grosvenor has overseen Liverpool ONE become one of the UK’s leading retail and entertainment destinations. Over that time, average spend per head has increased by 89% and sales have risen by 195%, the company said. 

Liverpool ONE, which opened to coincide with the city’s year as the European Capital of Culture, is often the first place big brands venture after finding their feet in London.  

Last year, beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury did just this and the site is also the only destination outside the capital to host Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, and Stradivarius of the Inditex stable. 

The shopping centre is also home to the largest JD Sports in the world and the recently opened £10m Gravity MAX, which took over part of the former Debenhams store. 

While Liverpool ONE opened 15 years ago today, Dickie points out the project was first conceived almost a quarter of a century ago in 1999. 

“From the outset, we were committed to creating a new city centre to an exceptional level of quality.  

“This, combined with a focus on contemporary urban design, place shaping and sensitivity to local identity has underpinned Liverpool ONE’s attractiveness to occupiers and visitors for almost a generation.”